Kisii, Nyamira clash over Gusii water company

The two counties are engrossed in a fierce fight over the operations of GWASCO that is currently co-owned by the two devolved units.

Appearing before the Senate County Public Funds and Special Funds Committee on Thursday, Nyaribo accused Kisii government of sidelining and oppressing his county in the running of the firm.

The county chief pleaded with the Senate, through the committee, to oversee the divorce process.

“I believe that even if you are the majority shareholder, the minority must be heard,” Nyaribo told the Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi-led committee.

The Kisii government is the majority shareholder in the company.

Nyaribo lamented that Kisii unilaterally hired the company’s managing director without the involvement of the Nyamira

“I go on record saying that no advertisement was done," he said.

The governor said the company received a grant of Sh91 million, out of which Sh18 million was supposed to be invested in water projects in Nyamira.

However, the company invested the entire amount in Kisii.

“Another issue is that the company took a decision to borrow Sh300 million for last mile projects in the two counties.

However, the money was spent in Kisii county.

“They took this loan which will obviously be paid by the two counties. Major decisions have been made without our involvement because we are never invited to the board,” he said.

Nyamira Senator Okongó Omogeni pleaded with the committee to provide solutions or recommendations that would free Nyamira from  Kisii county.

“The only reason I want to persuade the committee to allow us, as Nyamira to present our case is for you to listen and then assist us in making a proposal on the way forward,” he said.

But the committee threw the ball to Nyaribo and Arati to make a decision on whether they need to divorce.

“We need to request you to engage you friend and neighbour Simba Arati so that this process is smooth,” Osotsi said.

“Our fear is that if this process delays, the people of Nyamira will lack water. And as leaders we don’t want to put the people of Nyamira or even Kisii in that situation.”

The chairman said the committee had not powers to expressly direct the two governors to split the company.

“I direct that a communication be made to the two counties to initiate a process of split guided by Wasreb. That is the only thing that we can recommend."

“This committee cannot make a decision to split companies. We have no power to hire and fire. We can only guide as per the law, best practice and our experience,” he said.

Osotsi asked the two counties to learn from Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties which formed a task force that aided in the split of Nzoia Water company.

"The committee can also not make a decision on disputes between you and Kisii county. We cannot make a decision on hiring and firing of staff because that is not our mandate."